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Artist's Statement
I am a multi-media painter. Mostly I paint in oils, and some of this work calls out for added materials, from wood and hardware, to gold leaf. From portraiture, natural world paintings, magic realism and embedded poems in my ongoing Mother America series, my art suggests a continuum of national identity and evolving self. What is the human condition, what are our fears, our personal and spiritual needs? I engage these questions in all my work. My feeling is that art can and should help us to live.
Education
T.C. Williams & Holton Arms
Knox College - Studio Arts Major
University of Toledo - Studio Arts Major
Temple University - BA in English Literature
The University of Pennsylvania: M.A. Creative Writing /1988 *
Ph.D. American Literature/ 1992
Scottsdale Artists School - 1997- 1999
Exhibits & Awards
2012 SOLO Exhibit, Mother America Series at The Charter Oak Cultural Center, Hartford
2012 SOLO Show at The Hartford UCONN Hospital Feb. - May
2011 Candlelight Tours Exhibit, Studio 4A, The Farmington Valley Art Center, Avon, CT
2011 Juried Group Show. The Mackinac Museum, Mackinac Island June - Nov
2011 SOLO Exhibit at the Esther C. Drezner Gallery, Avon CT March - April
2011 March 11, "Walking Wounded," Melissa's oil painting published in The Hartford Courant, along with an article on her Mother America Series
2011 March 7, photograph and write-up of Melissa's artwork in CT NOW, The Hartford Courant
2010 Melissa's oil painting "A Bridge of Colors" becomes part of The Connecticut Collection, permanent collection of art at the Hartford UCONN Hospital
2010 Publication of BLUE TREE, painting and poem of the same title in "Verse Wisconsin"
2010 RED DAY, oil painting published as the cover art for book of poems by Fireweed Press
2008 One person show at David Glass Cheesecake: Fine Tastings and Art, Bloomfield, CT
2007 Publication of "Her Father's Eyes" New London Day
2007 Show at Norwich Art Gallery - "Art 24/7"
2005 2007 Ongoing painting commissions and workshops
2004 Mackinac Island Arts Council Show -Island School - Mackinac Island, MI
2004 Hartford Open Studio - Spring Open Studios - Hartford CT
2003 Featured Artist for Education Charity Silent Auction, Simsbury, C
2003 Juried show, West Hartford Art League
2002 Solo Show, "The Real and the Marvelous" Investors Center, Avon CT
2002 Solo Show, The Rocking Chair Café, Avon CT
2002 Juried show, Pioneer Valley Great River Show, Greenfield, Mass
2002 Exhibit at The Simsbury Bank, Avon, CT
2002 Exhibit at the Simsbury Library, CT
2001 First Prize Connecticut Poets/ Reading at Mill Race Book Store, CT
2001 Featured Artist, Art Auction, Cave Creek, AZ
2000 Exhibit at the Southwest National Bank, Carefree, AZ
1999 Sonoran Art League "Hidden in the Hills Studio Tours," AZ
1998 Margot Reid Jazz/ Art Benefit Exhibit, Art Center, Cave Creek, AZ
1981 Chester County Fine Arts Exhibit, PA
1980 First Prize, Unionville Annual Art Show, PA
1979 Best in Show, Unionville Annual Art Show, PA
Publications
The Hartford Courant, CT Now
The Hartford Courant, Featured Artist
Cover Art "Red Day" for book of Poetry, Obstructed View
PATCH.com article Mother America Series
Poem and oil painting published in Verse Wisconsin
New London Day, Art Pick, Featured Artist
Valley Press, article - Show at Investors Center
Article, Town Crier, Mackinac Island, Re: art and journal course taught
Avon Art Association News, article
Artist interview and biography in Avon Art Association News
Artist biography and article Re: solo show in Farmington Valley Post
Artist biography and exhibit news/one person show Valley News, CT
Watercolor published in Hidden in the Hills Studio Tours magazine
Pennsylvania Power & Light
Presentations & Speaking Engagements
2011 - Artist Talks at The Farmington Valley Art Center, Mother America Series
2004 - "Each of us is a Story" - Mackinac Island MI - Mackinac Arts Council
2004 - "Life is a Story" - Farmington Valley Arts Center, Avon CT
2003 - Creative Workshop Presentation with line and word, Islesboro, ME
2003 - "Painting your own Backyard," Tootin' Hills Elem. School, W. Simsbury, CT
2002 - Lecture and Presentation -- Mackinac Island Public Library, MI
2001 - Creativity Workshop - East Farms Elementary School, Farmington, CT
2001 - The Mill Race Book Store at Grist Mill Inn, Farmington, CT
2001 - Presentation to School, East Farms Elementary, CT
2000 - The Internet Café, Mackinac Island, MI
1992 - The University of Sheffield, Sheffield, England
1990 - The Penneman Room at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
1989 - The Philomaethean Society, Philadelphia, PA
1988 - Mackinac Island Turtle Park, MI
Teaching Experience
2011 - Art for Social Justice, workshops taught to 4th-7th and 8th-12th grades at The Mackinac School. Mother America Series
2011 - Art for Social Justice, workshops taught, partnered with The Hartford Insurance and YWCA in Hartford
2011 - Art and Creative Identity, The Farmington Valley Art Center, Mother America Series
2004 "Life is a Story" art and Journal course taught at Manoogian Conference Center, Mackinac Island, MI
2003 Workshop - "Memory and Self" Islesboro, Maine
2001-2 Drawing and Poetry classes - East Farms School, Farmington CT combined line drawing and poetry for journey into self project
1998- 2000 - Taught monthly classes in Art: Devised Art history and Painting projects for Cave Creek School district, AZ
1996-97 Conceived and taught Drawing and painting classes for Outreach/troubled kids, AZ
1995 "Your Creative Self" High Hill Workshop, Chester County, PA
1985-1996 Taught American Literature and Creative Writing at The University of Pennsylvania
1983-85 Creativity Expression Workshops, Unionville School District, PA
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